Roster Refinement Continues

Viking Update Staff

09/10/2003

Mike Tice continues to fine-tune his 53-man roster and slowly gain experience. This time it was a veteran fullback being added while a rookie fullback was released.

The Vikings' ongoing roster changes continued Tuesday, as the Vikings signed former Giants fullback Charles Stackhouse. Stackhouse, who was a starting fullback for the Giants last year, was released after getting in a locker room fight with a teammate, which put him out of favor with coach Jim Fassel.

Stackhouse is a pure fullback who the Vikings were impressed with. To make room for Stackhouse, the Vikings released FB James Lynch, who had been the only fullback on the roster following the first big round of cuts.

The expectation is for Stackhouse to see time on special teams and come in on a limited number of offensive plays Sunday night.

WEDNESDAY NOTES
* The Vikings made a practice squad roster move Tuesday. The team added cornerback Rhett Nelson and released cornerback Horace Willis – the second change on the five-man practice squad in two days.
* Former Vikings kicker Gary Anderson might make his return to the NFL after all. VU has been told Anderson is heading to Tennessee today to try out for the Titans, who lost kicker Joe Nedney Sunday night with torn knee ligaments. Last year, a couple of teams looked to sign Anderson, but he said he would play only with the Vikings.
* The Packers, in dire need of depth at wide receiver, signed Antonio Freeman Tuesday to return to the team as one of Brett Favre's new go-to guys. With injuries to Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson Sunday, Freeman may be asked to step in immediately and make an impact.